Readers' Choice winners Lemon Bucket Orkestra for best local band pick theirs

NOW readers voted the rip-roaring Balkan/klezmer/Gypsy/party punks Lemon Bucket Orkestra as their favourite Toronto band in our recent Readers' Choice survey. Ahead of their Opera House extravaganza in support of recent album Moorka, we decided to find out who the sprawling super-band (15 members and counting) pick as their favourite local acts.

"I've gotta say that there's not much better than strolling down Queen Street on a Saturday night and seeing 15 horn players up on the bar of my favourite French bistro in the city, La Palette. You make up the song title, they make up the song. On the spot. I'm a sucker for bands that draw you into a world, and these guys really do it."

"This duo performs both original compositions and traditional arrangements from Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. My absolute favourite aspect about them is that they invite local dancers to perform with them every show."

Member: James McKie (fiddle)

Pick: Ada Dahli and the Pallbearers

"This band is awesome, but the crowning feature is Ada Dahli's vocals. Ada sings with more dynamics, emotion and intensity than just about anyone I've ever heard. They just released an album [Tangents]. Pick up a copy!"

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Member: Mike Romaniak (sopilka)

Pick: Fat as Fuck

"FAF are one of Toronto's weirdest psychedelic prog-electronic bands. I love their haz-mat uniforms, their ridiculous and spooky vibe and their epic anthem tunes. They're best at the Garrison - always extra-wild in there."

"Jazz Money are great because they're open to what jazz was and is. I love seeing them busking or hosting jams where they play the standards but also whatever is popular today, especially their choice hip-hop tunes. Improv, groove, singing, recognizable songs that everyone knows - what else would you want?"

"Their Sunday nights at the Dakota are always magical. They play the old roots-rock gems with the same heart and soul as their own great originals. And Jud Ruhl's guitar work is always so delicious."

Member: Jaash Singh (darbouka)

Pick: Freeman Dre & the Kitchen Party

"Dre is an insightful songwriter who can really control the room: one moment he'll be keeping a quiet, captive audience and in the next they're erupting into dance. He's also surrounded by an onslaught of incredible multi-talented musicians, and our guys guest with him frequently."

"They're all musician's musicians, as well as making incredibly accessible music. If you go to the Cameron House to see them, half the audience is local musicians on their night off."

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Member: Marichka Marczyk (vocals/accordion)

Pick: Red Rhythm

"The best Saturday afternoon show in the city. It's very rare to see a lead singer (LBO's own Michael Louis Johnson) who exhibits intensity and creativity along with weakness and subtler emotions. This combination speaks to me as an artist."